The coronavirus continues to spread and this can be difficult times for almost all of us as we hear about it through television news, social media, newspapers, family and friends, and other sources.
The most common emotion faced by most of us is fear. This can make people anxious and panicky. Reports of growing financial losses and no possible vaccine any time soon are some of the major stressors and contribute to emotional distress.
This is when meditation can help. Meditation is the practice of deep thinking and focusing on our minds for a period of time. It can be done in silence or by chanting some mantras.
In current scenarios, meditation has also gained traction as a way to manage stress. There are some scientific evidence to show it can be helpful in dealing with depression and mental stress.
Below are some types of meditation that you can practice.
Mindful Meditation: It is a process of being fully aware of where you are and what you are doing, and not being overly reactive to what’s going on around us. Mindful meditation can be done anytime and anywhere. While some prefer to sit in a quiet place and focus on their breathing after closing eyes, others choose to be mindful at any point of the day, including while you’re commuting to work or doing chores. The only thing you need to do is observe your thoughts and emotions but let them pass without judgment.
Transcendental Meditation: It is a technique where a personally assigned mantra is practiced for 20 minutes twice a day. These mantras or small phrases are repeated in a specific way while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. It will allow you to settle inward to a profound state of relaxation and rest, with the goal of achieving inner peace without concentration or effort.
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Guided Meditation: It is sometimes also referred to as guided imagery or visualization. In this method of meditation, a person forms mental pictures or situations that he finds relaxing. You typically need a guide or teacher for this process and there it has been “guided” meditation.
Vipassana Meditation: It is an ancient Indian form of meditation which is all about seeing things as they really are. It was taught in India more than 2,500 years ago. The goal of this meditation is self-transformation through self-observation. The meditation is typically taught during a 10-day course.
Chakra Meditation: Chakra is a Sanskrit word that means “wheel.” Chakras refer to the centers of energy and spiritual power in the body and are believed to be seven in numbers. Chakra meditation is made up of relaxation techniques focused on bringing balance and well-being to the chakras. Some of these techniques include visually picturing each chakra in the body and its corresponding color. Some people may choose to light incense or use crystals, color-coded for each chakra to help them concentrate during the meditation.